Landscaping Ideas

On this page we’ve outlined some of the more common residential landscape issues we have encountered and the solutions and services we can provide to address them. Of course, the solution to any landscape complaint will need to be tailored to that individual landscape or garden area and may include any combination of the solutions listed below.

LANDSCAPE LACKS CURB APPEAL

There could be any number of elements in your landscape that can attribute to poor curb appeal ranging from the simple (leaf debris, weeds, etc.) to moderate (misshapen shrubs in need of pruning, overgrown shrubs, etc.) to the more extensive (major or complete re-design). Some of the more frequent “offenders” that contribute to low curb appeal are… READ MORE

CRACKED, BROKEN, UNEVEN WALKWAY

In addition to being unsightly, walkways that have holes, cracks, or sections that are raised, sunken, or missing can prove unsafe to you, your family, and your visitors. Consider replacing your existing walk with durable, attractive flagstone or interlocking pavers.… READ MORE

AREAS OF HIGH MAINTENANCE THAT ARE TOO COSTLY OR TOO MUCH TROUBLE TO MAINTAIN

Let’s face it – if you aren’t one of those people with a green thumb who enjoys getting out in the yard to weed, prune, trim, and mow on a regular basis, landscape maintenance can be a back-breaking chore that can be very time-consuming (if you do it yourself) or quite costly (if you have to pay someone else to do it). But you do have options…. READ MORE

LANDSCAPING IDEAS FOR SMALL YARDS

A small yard really isn’t a problem as long as you select plants with a MATURE size that are in proportion to your yard and your house. Your small yard may also benefit from a design principle known as garden rooms.… READ MORE

AREAS WHERE GRASS WILL NOT GROW

Do you have areas in your yard where the grass is thin or will not grow at all? Areas such as these can ruin the look of a well tended yard. One of the options for transforming a problem spot where grass will not thrive or grow is to install an island bed. … READ MORE

WATER POOLING NEAR THE HOUSE’S FOUNDATION

Water that doesn’t drain away from the crawl space or basement of your house can cause structural damage. Depending on the amount and location of the pooling water, landscape solutions can include… READ MORE

WATER POOLING IN THE YARD

Standing water is perfect for breeding mosquitoes. Consider installing a rain garden that will collect rainwater and allow it to slowly infiltrate into the soil. Your rain garden can… READ MORE

STEEP SLOPE TOO DIFFICULT TO MOW

Here in Roanoke VA and the surrounding area, turf grass is one of the best groundcovers for coverage and ease of maintenance, but grass can’t always thrive in difficult spots like eroding slopes or heavily shaded areas. For these spots, consider… READ MORE

NO SPACE (OR TIME) FOR A VEGETABLE GARDEN

Want to pick fresh veggies from your own garden but don’t have the time or the space for a garden spot? Think outside the patch… READ MORE

WATER FEATURE TOO DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN

Water features are very special embellishments that can add a great deal to a landscape. If you have an existing water feature and find it too difficult to maintain, but still want some kind of interest in the landscape, consider a waterless water feature…. READ MORE

CRACKED, BROKEN, UNEVEN WALKWAY

In addition to being unsightly, walkways that have holes, cracks, or have sections that are raised, sunken, or missing can prove unsafe to you, your family, and your visitors.

We can help you select stone or pavers with the style, size, and color that best coordinates with your house, your style, and your budget.

Click here to see more information on the hardscaping services we offer as well as links to our suppliers for paver options.

Stone added to mask concrete foundation

Stone steps

AREAS OF HIGH MAINTENANCE THAT ARE TOO COSTLY OR TOO MUCH TROUBLE TO MAINTAIN

Do you have landscape plants that need frequent pruning to keep them in check?

Do you have large beds that need to be regularly weeded, mulched, etc.?

Let’s face it – if you aren’t one of those people with a green thumb who enjoys getting out in the yard to weed, prune, trim, and mow on a regular basis, landscape maintenance can be a back-breaking chore that can be very time-consuming (if you do it yourself) or quite costly (if you have to pay someone else to do it). But you do have options.

Have a high-maintenance plant bed or flower bed in your FRONT yard? Consider replacing it with sod which is easier to maintain and looks good instantly.

Want to save on the cost of sod installation? After removing a planted area in your BACK yard that is no longer attractive or desirable, consider seeding the area. It will be easier to maintain than the plant bed and less expensive than sod.

Don’t want more lawn to mow? If you’d rather not give up a planting bed to more lawn, a feasible option would be to replace the high-maintenance plants with LOW-MAINTENANCE ALTERNATIVES. That way you don’t have to sacrifice the variety and interest a planting bed can provide. This is especially desirable if you enjoy attracting and watching birds, butterflies, or other wildlife.

To discuss your options for reducing landscape maintenance time and cost, contact us for your FREE consultation.

WATER POOLING NEAR THE HOUSE’S FOUNDATION

Water that doesn’t drain away from the crawl space or basement of your house can cause structural damage.

Depending on the amount and location of the pooling water, landscape solutions can include:

Correcting the grade around the house to enable water to flow away from the foundation.

Installing subsurface drainage (drainage tile or French drain) to direct water away from the foundation.

Installing a swale to intercept water before it reaches the foundation and to direct it elsewhere.

Any combination of the above.

For more information on the drainage/erosion solutions we offer, click here to visit our DRAINAGE/EROSION page.

WATER POOLING IN THE YARD

Standing water is perfect for breeding mosquitoes.

Consider installing a rain garden that will collect rainwater and allow it to slowly infiltrate into the soil. Your rain garden can be planted with small trees, shrubs, perennials or annuals that tolerate wet or dry conditions. This way, the same area that served as a mosquito habitat can be transformed into a beautiful garden that cleans the water and releases it back into the atmosphere.

For more information on rain gardens and other methods for solving DRAINAGE/EROSION issues, click here.

STEEP SLOPE TOO DIFFICULT TO MOW OR UNSIGHTLY DUE TO EROSION OR TOO SHADY FOR GRASS TO GROW

Here in Roanoke VA and the surrounding area, turf grass is one of the best groundcovers for coverage and ease of maintenance, but grass can’t always thrive in difficult spots like eroding slopes or heavily shaded areas.

Some slopes may be slight enough for grass to effectively grow but unsafe to mow especially if the grass is wet. For these spots, consider an alternative groundcover.

NO SPACE (OR TIME) FOR A VEGETABLE GARDEN

Want to pick fresh veggies from your own garden but don’t have the time or the space for a garden spot? Think outside the patch… you have some options.

OPTION 1: Interplant vegetable plants with ornamental landscape plants. Just be mindful to locate where sun and shade requirements are suitable for the vegetable plant. (Some vegetable and fruit plants are quite ornamental.)

OPTION 2: Consider vertical gardening. Use vertical structures to plant smaller vegetable plants such as lettuces and greens. (Drip irrigation would probably be a good idea as this type of planting can dry out quicker than a garden bed.)

OPTION 3: Create a potted garden. Plant a variety of vegetable plants – each in individual pots – and arrange in a pleasing design (taller ones at the back). These can be placed in a sunny spot that’s easy to access, sit back and admire, harvest, weed, or water.

WATER FEATURE TOO DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN

Water features are very special embellishments that can add a great deal to a landscape, such as the sounds and sight of flowing water or aquatic plants and fish. But there’s also a good deal of maintenance involved with keeping a water feature operating properly, such as waters pumps, filters, algae, fish health, and so on. Like any system, when it works well it’s great, but when it doesn’t it can be a big headache.

If you have an existing water feature (fountain, fish pond, etc.) and find it too difficult to maintain, but still want some kind of interest in the landscape, consider a waterless water feature. How to do this?

Use boulders to suggest waterfalls and small river rock to suggest a stream bed. No electrical wiring, pumps, filters, or fish required!

Want a FREE estimate on installing, removing, or replacing a water feature?Call us at 772-4722 or click here to contact us online.

We Provide Services to the Following Cities, Towns and surrounding areas in VA: